Advances in the management of psoriatic arthritis

Prescription of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for patients with inflammatory arthritis decreases with the initiation of tumour necrosis factor inhibitor therapy: results from the ICEBIO registry

OBJECTIVE

To study the impact of tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitor (TNFi) therapy on the use of non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) in Iceland.

METHOD

This registry cohort study used data from the nationwide database on biologics in Iceland (ICEBIO) and the Icelandic Prescription Medicines Register on disease activity, and filled prescriptions for NSAIDs, to study the period from 2 years before to 2 years after initiation of a first TNFi. Five randomly selected individuals from the general population matched on age, sex, and calendar time for each patient served as comparators.

RESULTS

Data from 940 patients and 4700 comparators were included. Patients with arthritis were prescribed 6.7 times more defined daily doses of NSAIDs than comparators (149 vs 22 per year). After TNFi initiation, NSAID use decreased to a mean of 85 DDD per year, or by 42% in RA, 43% in PsA, and 48% in axSpA. At TNFi initiation, the quintile of axSpA patients who used most NSAIDs reported significantly worse pain (mean ± sd 66 ± 21 vs 60 ± 23 mm), global health (70 ± 20 vs 64 ± 23 mm), and Health Assessment Questionnaire score (1.21 ± 0.66 vs 1.02 ± 0.66) than the other patients, whereas no significant differences were observed in the groups with peripheral arthritis.

CONCLUSION

Patients with inflammatory arthritides requiring TNFi therapy use more NSAIDs than matched comparators, and consumption decreased following TNF initiation. Patient-reported measures are not associated with high NSAID use in patients with peripheral arthritis.

Tolerability and comparative effectiveness of TNF, IL-17 and IL-23(p19) inhibitors in psoriatic arthritis: a target trial emulation study

OBJECTIVES

To compare the tolerability and effectiveness of two different classes of biological DMARDs [IL-17 and IL-23(p19) inhibitors, IL-17i and IL-23(p19)i] relative to TNF inhibitors (TNFi) regarding the drug survival rates and treatment outcomes in patients with PsA.

METHODS

We emulated a target trial on comparative effectiveness using observational data from a prospective cohort study based on the Parker Institute's PsA cohort (the PIPA cohort). All patients underwent interview and a clinical examination programme at baseline and at follow-up visits at 4 and 12 months. The primary endpoint, drug survival, was assessed up to 12 months from baseline. We estimated hazard ratios from proportional hazards model and used propensity score adjustment in an attempt to deconfound and emulate a random treatment assignment.

RESULTS

We included a total of 109 patients in the intention-to-monitor population at baseline initiating either TNFi (75 patients), IL-17i (26 patients) or IL-23(19)i (8 patients). Hazard ratios in the propensity adjusted model comparing IL-17i and IL-23(p19)i with TNFi were 1.36 (95% CI 0.59-3.14) and 0.56 (95% CI 0.10-3.24), respectively. TNFi and IL-17i had comparable effects regarding response rates and changes in clinical outcomes after 12 months, whereas IL-23(p19)i tended to perform better overall.

CONCLUSION

No decisive differences between drugs were observed at group level regarding drug survival and clinical outcomes after 12 months. TNFi, IL-17i and IL-23(p19)i may all be considered equally effective in the treatment of patients with PsA, advocating for investigating more in personalized treatment strategies.

Immune cells in the epithelial immune microenvironment of psoriasis: emerging therapeutic targets

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by erroneous metabolism of keratinocytes. The development of psoriasis is closely related to abnormal activation and disorders of the immune system. Dysregulated skin protective mechanisms can activate inflammatory pathways within the epithelial immune microenvironment (EIME), leading to the development of autoimmune-related and inflammatory skin diseases. In this review, we initially emphasized the pathogenesis of psoriasis, paying particular attention to the interactions between the abnormal activation of immune cells and the production of cytokines in psoriasis. Subsequently, we delved into the significance of the interactions between EIME and immune cells in the emergence of psoriasis. A thorough understanding of these immune processes is crucial to the development of targeted therapies for psoriasis. Finally, we discussed the potential novel targeted therapies aimed at modulating the EIME in psoriasis. This comprehensive examination sheds light on the intricate underlying immune mechanisms and provides insights into potential therapeutic avenues of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

A review of the pleiotropic actions of the IFN-inducible CXC chemokine receptor 3 ligands in the synovial microenvironment

Chemokines are pivotal players in instigation and perpetuation of synovitis through leukocytes egress from the blood circulation into the inflamed articulation. Multitudinous literature addressing the involvement of the dual-function interferon (IFN)-inducible chemokines CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 in diseases characterized by chronic inflammatory arthritis emphasizes the need for detangling their etiopathological relevance. Through interaction with their mutual receptor CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3), the chemokines CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 exert their hallmark function of coordinating directional trafficking of CD4+ TH1 cells, CD8+ T cells, NK cells and NKT cells towards inflammatory niches. Among other (patho)physiological processes including infection, cancer, and angiostasis, IFN-inducible CXCR3 ligands have been implicated in autoinflammatory and autoimmune diseases. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the abundant presence of IFN-induced CXCR3 ligands in bodily fluids of patients with inflammatory arthritis, the outcomes of their selective depletion in rodent models, and the attempts at developing candidate drugs targeting the CXCR3 chemokine system. We further propose that the involvement of the CXCR3 binding chemokines in synovitis and joint remodeling encompasses more than solely the directional ingress of CXCR3-expressing leukocytes. The pleotropic actions of the IFN-inducible CXCR3 ligands in the synovial niche reiteratively illustrate the extensive complexity of the CXCR3 chemokine network, which is based on the intercommunion of IFN-inducible CXCR3 ligands with distinct CXCR3 isoforms, enzymes, cytokines, and infiltrated and resident cells present in the inflamed joints.

Do genetics contribute to TNF inhibitor response prediction in Psoriatic Arthritis?

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a heterogeneous chronic musculoskeletal disease, affecting up to 30% of people with psoriasis. Research into PsA pathogenesis has led to the development of targeted therapies, including Tumor Necrosis Factor inhibitors (TNF-i). Good response is only achieved by ~60% of patients leading to 'trial and error' drug management approaches, adverse reactions and increasing healthcare costs. Robust and well-validated biomarker identification, and subsequent development of sensitive and specific assays, would facilitate the implementation of a stratified approach into clinical care. This review will summarise potential genetic biomarkers for TNF-i (adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab) response that have been reported to date. It will also comment upon the importance of managing clinical confounders when understanding drug response prediction. Variants in multiple gene regions including TNF-A, FCGR2A, TNFAIP3, TNFR1/TNFR1A/TNFRSF1A, TRAIL-R1/TNFRSF10A, FCGR3A have been reported to correlate with TNF-i response at various levels of statistical significance in patients with PsA. However, results were often from heterogenous and underpowered cohorts and none are currently implemented into clinical practice. External validation of genetic biomarkers in large, well-documented cohorts is required, and assessment of the predictive value of combining multiple genetic biomarkers with clinical measures is essential to clinically embed pharmacogenomics into PsA drug management.

Impact of TRAF3IP2, IL10 and HCP5 Genetic Polymorphisms in the Response to TNF-i Treatment in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease. The introduction of therapy with biological drugs is promising, even if the efficacy is very variable. Since the response to drugs is a complex trait, identifying genetic factors associated to treatment response could help define new biomarkers for a more effective and personalized therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the potential role of polymorphisms in genes involved in PsA susceptibility as predictors of therapy efficacy. Nine polymorphisms were analyzed in a cohort of 163 PsA patients treated with TNF-i. To evaluate the treatment response, the DAPsA score was estimated for each patient. The possible association between the selected SNPs and mean values of DAPsA differences, at 22 and 54 weeks from the beginning of the treatment, were evaluated by t-test. Patients carrying the variant allele of TRAF3IP2 seemed to respond better to treatment, both at 22 and 54 weeks. This variant allele was also associated with an improvement in joint involvement. In contrast, patients carrying the IL10 variant allele showed an improvement lower than patients with the wild-type genotype at 54 weeks. Our results suggest that polymorphisms in genes associated with PsA susceptibility could also play a role in TNF-i treatment response.

Identification of clinical phenotypes of peripheral involvement in patients with spondyloarthritis, including psoriatic arthritis: a cluster analysis in the worldwide ASAS-PerSpA study

Objective

To identify clusters of peripheral involvement according to the specific location of peripheral manifestations (ie, arthritis, enthesitis and dactylitis) in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) including psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and to evaluate whether these clusters correspond with the clinical diagnosis of a rheumatologist.

Methods

Cross-sectional study with 24 participating countries. Consecutive patients diagnosed by their rheumatologist as PsA, axial SpA or peripheral SpA were enrolled. Four different cluster analyses were conducted: one using information on the specific location from all the peripheral manifestations, and a cluster analysis for each peripheral manifestation, separately. Multiple correspondence analyses and k-means clustering methods were used. Distribution of peripheral manifestations and clinical characteristics were compared across the different clusters.

Results

The different cluster analyses performed in the 4465 patients clearly distinguished a predominantly axial phenotype (cluster 1) and a predominantly peripheral phenotype (cluster 2). In the predominantly axial phenotype, hip involvement and lower limb large joint arthritis, heel enthesitis and lack of dactylitis were more prevalent. In the predominantly peripheral phenotype, different subgroups were distinguished based on the type and location of peripheral involvement: a predominantly involvement of upper versus lower limbs joints, a predominantly axial enthesitis versus peripheral enthesitis, and predominantly finger versus toe involvement in dactylitis. A poor agreement between the clusters and the rheumatologist‘s diagnosis as well as with the classification criteria was found.

Conclusion

These results suggest the presence of two main phenotypes (predominantly axial and predominantly peripheral) based on the presence and location of the peripheral manifestations.

Relation of NSAIDs, DMARDs, and TNF Inhibitors for Ankylosing Spondylitis and Psoriatic Arthritis to Risk of Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

OBJECTIVE

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) often affect the hip and/or knee. If effective, treatments might reduce risk of total hip or total knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA). We evaluated risk of THA/TKA related to use of medical therapies in AS/PsA.

METHODS

We conducted a nested case-control study using 1994-2018 data from the OptumLabs Data Warehouse, which includes deidentified medical and pharmacy claims, laboratory results, and enrollment records for commercial and Medicare Advantage enrollees. Among those with AS/PsA, THA/TKA cases were matched up to 4 controls by sex, age, AS/PsA diagnosis, diagnosis year, insurance type, obesity, and prior THA/TKA. We assessed AS/PsA treatment 6 months prior to THA/TKA, including disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), alone or in combination, stratified by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) use. We evaluated the relation of treatment to risk of THA/TKA using conditional logistical regression with adjustment for confounders.

RESULTS

Among 16,748 adults with AS, there were 444 THA/TKA cases and 1613 matched controls. Among 34,512 adults with PsA, there were 1003 cases and 3793 controls. Adjusted ORs for treatment category and THA/TKA ranged from 0.60 to 1.92; however, none were statistically significant. Results were similarly null in several sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSION

Odds of THA/TKA were not reduced with any combinations of NSAIDs, DMARDs, or TNFi among persons with AS or PsA. Given current utilization patterns in this population of US adults with AS and PsA, these medical therapies did not appear to be associated with less end-stage peripheral joint damage.

Inhibition of the IL-17A axis in adipocytes suppresses diet-induced obesity and metabolic disorders in mice

Overnutrition causes obesity, a global health problem without any effective therapy. Obesity is characterized by low-grade inflammation, which predisposes individuals to metabolic syndrome via unknown mechanisms. Here, we demonstrate that abolishing the interleukin-17A (IL-17A) axis in mice by inhibition of RORγt-mediated IL-17A production by digoxin, or by ubiquitous deletion of IL-17 receptor A (Il17ra), suppresses diet-induced obesity (DIO) and metabolic disorders, and promotes adipose-tissue browning, thermogenesis and energy expenditure. Genetic ablation of Il17ra specifically in adipocytes is sufficient to completely prevent DIO and metabolic dysfunction in mice. IL-17A produced in response to DIO induces PPARγ phosphorylation at Ser273 in adipocytes in a CDK5-dependent manner, thereby modifying expression of diabetogenic and obesity genes, which correlates with IL-17A signalling in white adipose tissues of individuals with morbid obesity. These findings reveal an unanticipated role for IL-17A in adipocyte biology, in which its direct action pathogenically reprograms adipocytes, promoting DIO and metabolic syndrome. Targeting the IL-17A axis could be an efficient antiobesity strategy.

Management of psoriatic arthritis in rheumatology and dermatology settings: sub-analysis of the Italian population from the international LOOP study

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients are often treated by dermatology and rheumatology specialities and may receive different treatments. To evaluate the impact of dermatology/rheumatology specialist settings on diagnosis and therapeutic approach in PsA patients. This cross-sectional multicounty study in Italy involved twenty-eight rheumatology or dermatology clinics. Patients with suspected or confirmed PsA were examined by both a dermatologist and a rheumatologist. A total of 413 patients were enrolled and 347 (84%) were diagnosed with PsA. The majority of patients were enrolled from a rheumatology setting (N = 224, 64.6%). Patients with PsA in the dermatology settings had significantly higher disease activity, including skin involvement and musculoskeletal symptoms. Time from PsA onset to diagnosis was 22.3 ± 53.8 vs. 39.4 ± 77.5 months (p = 0.63) in rheumatology and dermatology settings; time from diagnosis to initiation of csDMARD was 7.3 ± 27.5 vs. 19.5 ± 50.6 months, respectively (p < 0.001). In contrast, time from diagnosis to bDMARD use was shorter in dermatology settings (54.9 ± 69 vs. 44.2 ± 65.6 months, p = 0.09, rheumatology vs. dermatology), similar to the time taken from first csDMARDs and bDMARDs (48.7 ± 67.9 vs. 35.3 ± 51.9 months, p = 0.34). The choice to visit a rheumatologist over a dermatologist was positively associated with female gender and swollen joints and negatively associated with delay in time from musculoskeletal symptom onset to PsA diagnosis. This study highlights a diagnostic delay emerging from both settings with significantly different therapeutic approaches. Our data reinforce the importance of implementing efficient strategies to improve early identification of PsA that can benefit from the integrated management of PsA patients. Key Points • A diagnostic delay was observed from both dermatology and rheumatology settings with significantly different therapeutic approaches. • Shared dermatology and rheumatology clinics offer the combined expertise to improve in the early identification and management of PsA.

Secukinumab Use in Patients with Moderate to Severe Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis in Real-World Setting in Europe: Baseline Data from SERENA Study

INTRODUCTION

Secukinumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that directly inhibits interleukin-17A, has demonstrated robust efficacy in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis (PsO), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS), with a rapid onset of action, sustained long-term clinical responses and a consistently favourable safety profile across phase 3 trials. Here, we report the clinical data at enrolment from SERENA, designed to investigate the real-world use of secukinumab across all three indications.

METHODS

SERENA is an ongoing, longitudinal, observational study conducted at 438 sites across Europe in patients with moderate to severe plaque PsO, active PsA or active AS. Patients should have received at least 16 weeks of secukinumab treatment before enrolment in the study.

RESULTS

Overall 2800 patients were included in the safety set; patients with PsA (N = 541) were older than patients with PsO (N = 1799) and patients with AS (N = 460); patients with PsO had a higher mean body weight than patients with PsA and patients with AS; and patients with PsO and patients with AS were predominantly male. Time since diagnosis was longer in patients with PsO compared with patients with PsA and patients with AS, and about 40% of patients were either current or former smokers. The proportion of obese patients (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2) was similar across indications. Patients were treated with secukinumab for a mean duration of 1 year prior to enrolment (range 0.89-1.04). The percentages of patients with prior biologics exposure were 31.5% PsO, 59.7% PsA and 55% AS. The percentages of patients prescribed secukinumab monotherapy were 75% (n = 1349) in PsO, 48.2% (n = 261) in PsA and 48.9% (n = 225) in AS groups.

CONCLUSION

Baseline demographics of the study population are consistent with existing literature. This large observational study across all secukinumab indications will provide valuable information on the long-term effectiveness and safety of secukinumab in the real-world setting.

A novel treatment for psoriatic arthritis: Janus kinase inhibitors

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a type of chronic inflammatory arthritis which is associated with psoriasis. The early recognition and treatment for PsA are of critical importance. Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, as a kind of orally small molecules, have emerged as an encouraging class of drug in PsA treatment. This review provides a discussion of the role and current status of JAK inhibitors in the control of PsA. There are three JAK inhibitors approved for use in autoimmune diseases, for example, tofacitinib, baricitinib, and upadacitinib, and only tofacitinib has been approved in PsA treatment. The clinical trials of upadacitinib and filgotinib in PsA patients are undergoing. The efficacy and safety of these agents were briefly discussed. Although there are still issues in terms of their efficacy and safety currently, JAK inhibitors are expected to benefit more PsA patients in future.

Hydrogen Sulfide as Potential Regulatory Gasotransmitter in Arthritic Diseases

The social and economic impact of chronic inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, explains the growing interest of the research in this field. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the endogenous gasotransmitter hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) were recently demonstrated in the context of different inflammatory diseases. In particular, H₂S is able to suppress the production of pro-inflammatory mediations by lymphocytes and innate immunity cells. Considering these biological effects of H₂S, a potential role in the treatment of inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), can be postulated. However, despite the growing interest in H₂S, more evidence is needed to understand the pathophysiology and the potential of H₂S as a therapeutic agent. Within this review, we provide an overview on H₂S biological effects, on its role in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, on H₂S releasing drugs, and on systems of tissue repair and regeneration that are currently under investigation for potential therapeutic applications in arthritic diseases.

Effectiveness of Adalimumab for the Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis: An Italian Real-Life Retrospective Study

Background: Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of adalimumab in the real-life setting in psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Objective: To evaluate the 2-year retention rate of adalimumab in PsA patients. Potential baseline parameters influencing persistence on treatment were also evaluated.

Methods: PsA patients from 16 Italian Rheumatology Units treated with adalimumab as first- or second-line biological therapy were retrospectively evaluated. Adalimumab retention rate was evaluated at 12 and 24 months. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between predictor variables and adalimumab retention rate.

Results: From 424 patients (53.5% male, aged 48.3 ± 12.8 years) who started treatment with adalimumab, 367 (86.6%) maintained treatment for 12 months and 313 (73.8%) for 2 years. At 24-months, Disease Activity in PsA (DAPSA) remission (defined as ≤4) and Low Disease Activity (LDA) (≤14) were achieved in 22.8% and 44.4% of patients, respectively. Adalimumab treatment significantly decreased the number of tender (7.0 ± 5.7 at baseline vs. 2.3 ± 3.5 at 24 months, p < 0.001) and swollen joints (2.7 ± 2.8 at baseline vs. 0.4 ± 0.9 at 24 months, p < 0.001), DAPSA (25.5 ± 10.9 at baseline vs. 11.0 ± 8.4 at 24 months, p < 0.001), PASI (5.3 ± 5.7 at baseline vs. 2.7 ± 2.8 at 24 months, p < 0.001) and CRP (3.8 ± 6.3 at baseline vs. 1.2 ± 1.7 at 24 months, p < 0.001). Among a range of laboratory and clinical variables, only female gender was associated with improved adalimumab persistence at 24 months (OR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.2–3.2, p = 0.005).

Conclusions: Independent of a range of predictor variables, adalimumab was shown to be effective, while maintaining a high retention rate after 2 years in PsA patients.

Long-term effectiveness of tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitor treatment for psoriatic arthritis in the UK: a multicentre retrospective study

Objective

Real-world evidence of the long-term effectiveness of TNF-α inhibitor (TNFi) therapy in patients with PsA is limited. This study was conducted to describe patterns of TNFi therapy and treatment responses in patients with PsA treated in UK clinical practice.

Methods

A multicentre, retrospective, observational cohort study of consenting patients treated with TNFi for PsA with ≥3 years follow-up from first TNFi initiation (observation period) was carried out in 11 UK National Health Service hospitals. Data were collected concerning baseline patient characteristics, PsA-related treatment pathways and TNFi treatment responses (PsA response criteria components: swollen/tender joint counts, physician and patient global assessments).

Results

The mean age of patients (n = 141) was 50.3 (s.d.: 12.1) years (50% male). During a median observation period of 4.5 (range: 3.4–5.5) years, patients received a median of one (range: one to five) TNFi. Twelve-week response rates for first TNFi (where available) were as follows: 80% (n = 64/80) for swollen joint counts, 79% (n = 63/79) for tender joint counts, 79% (n = 37/47) for physician global assessments, 69% (n = 41/59) for patient global assessments and 79% (n = 37/47) for PsA response criteria. At the end of the observation period, the proportions of patients remaining on first, second, third and fourth/fifth TNFi were 56, 15, 5 and 3%, respectively; 21% of patients permanently discontinued TNFi therapy.

Conclusion

Long-term TNFi therapy is generally well tolerated and may be effective; however, after initial TNFi failure, there appears to be progressively less benefit and more adverse effects with successive TNFi switches. Strategies are needed for effective therapy for PsA beyond the first TNFi failure.

Peripheral spondyloarthritis: Concept, diagnosis and treatment

Peripheral spondyloarthritis refers to spondyloarthritis with predominant peripheral (arthritis, enthesitis or dactylitis) involvement. Diagnosis can be challenging, particularly in the absence of SpA extra-articular manifestations such as uveitis, psoriasis or inflammatory bowel disease. Evaluation of disease activity should always include assessment of objective signs of inflammation, particularly in the presence of enthesitis as the sole peripheral manifestation, mainly due to the potential misdiagnosis with fibromyalgia tender points. Several recommendations for management/treatment of psoriatic arthritis have been published by EULAR and GRAPPA but none for peripheral SpA in general. NSAIDs and glucocorticoids are recommended as the first step of treatment in all peripheral manifestations, while conventional synthetic (cs) DMARDs seem only efficacious in arthritis. Several biologics and targeted synthetic (ts) DMARDs (TNFi, anti-IL17 and JAK-inhibitors) have been proven to be efficacious in peripheral involvement in PsA (arthritis and enthesitis), but studies on peripheral SpA are lacking.

Psoriatic arthritis screening: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the accuracy and characteristics of different questionnaire-based PsA screening tools.

METHODS

A systematic review of MEDLINE, Excerpta Medical Database, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science was conducted to identify studies that evaluated the accuracy of self-administered PsA screening tools for patients with psoriasis. A bivariate meta-analysis was used to pool screening tool-specific accuracy estimates (sensitivity and specificity). Heterogeneity of the diagnostic odds ratio was evaluated through meta-regression. All full-text records were assessed for risk of bias with the QUADAS 2 tool.

RESULTS

A total of 2280 references were identified and 130 records were assessed for full-text review, of which 42 were included for synthesis. Of these, 27 were included in quantitative syntheses. Of the records, 37% had an overall low risk of bias. Fourteen different screening tools and 104 separate accuracy estimates were identified. Pooled sensitivity and specificity estimates were calculated for the Psoriatic Arthritis Screening and Evaluation (cut-off = 44), Psoriatic Arthritis Screening and Evaluation (47), Toronto Psoriatic Arthritis Screening (8), Psoriasis Epidemiology Screening Tool (3) and Early Psoriatic Arthritis Screening Questionnaire (3). The Early Psoriatic Arthritis Screening Questionnaire reported the highest sensitivity and specificity (0.85 each). The I2 for the diagnostic odds ratios varied between 76 and 90.1%. Meta-regressions were conducted, in which the age, risk of bias for patient selection and the screening tool accounted for some of the observed heterogeneity.

CONCLUSIONS

Questionnaire-based tools have moderate accuracy to identify PsA among psoriasis patients. The Early Psoriatic Arthritis Screening Questionnaire appears to have slightly better accuracy compared with the Toronto Psoriatic Arthritis Screening, Psoriasis Epidemiology Screening Tool and Psoriatic Arthritis Screening and Evaluation. An economic evaluation could model the uncertainty and estimate the cost-effectiveness of PsA screening programs that use different tools.

Treatment with secukinumab in multi-comorbid patients with psoriatic arthritis

Background: Patients with psoriasis may be at higher risk of Candida spp. infection. Interleukin (IL)-17 acts in the prevention of those infections; it is also involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Therefore, anti-IL17 antibodies - which have an established role in the treatment of psoriasis - may be associated with an increased incidence of Candida spp. infection, as it has been suggested in pivotal trials.Patients and Results: We report the occurrence of those infections in psoriatic patients receiving secukinumab 300 mg. Sixteen patients, treated with secukinumab 300 mg, for one year, and documented by mycological examinations, did not present any increase in the occurrence of Candida spp. infection, even asymptomatic. Moreover, 2 patients, after secukinumab treatment, became negative for candida detection, without any additional anti-fungal therapy.Conclusion: Although this case series is limited in size, our results may be reassuring on the low risk of candida infection in psoriatic patients, during secukinumab therapy.

Cost and Cost Effectiveness of Treatments for Psoriatic Arthritis: A Systematic Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Psoriatic arthritis is a long-term inflammatory arthropathy occurring in a subgroup of patients with psoriasis. In addition to irreversible bone erosions, joint destruction, and skin manifestations, psoriatic arthritis is associated with numerous comorbid conditions. Over the last 5 years, new treatments emerged; the analysis and comparisons of their additional costs and the added benefits have become increasingly important to optimize the limited resources available.

METHODS

A systematic literature review covering PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library was performed from May 2012 to October 2017 focusing on the most recent evidence of costs, benefits, and burden of psoriatic arthritis and its treatments. All economic evaluations assessing the burden of patients with psoriatic arthritis and written in English were eligible for inclusion. We also performed an assessment of the quality of the studies.

RESULTS

Of the 1652 references found in the literature search, nine cost-effectiveness analyses and 12 cost-of-illness studies were included in the current review. Patients with psoriatic arthritis incur substantially higher direct and indirect costs, as compared with patients with psoriasis without arthritis or patients with other inflammatory diseases. The cost of treatment with biologic therapies is the major predictor of the total cost. However, individuals with psoriatic arthritis are also affected by substantial productivity losses and indirect costs. Biologic therapies are generally cost effective vs. conventional therapies (e.g., synthetic drugs) for treating psoriatic arthritis.

CONCLUSIONS

Psoriatic arthritis is associated with a significant economic burden and biologic therapies contribute significantly to these costs. Biologic therapies are more effective than disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs for the symptoms and signs of psoriatic arthritis and for improving quality of life and inhibiting structural radiological damage. Therefore, biologic therapies are cost effective compared with conventional therapies: the increased direct cost associated with biologic drugs is offset by the significant improvement in the efficacy of treatments and in patient management of psoriatic arthritis.

Multidisciplinary Management of Spondyloarthritis-Related Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Disease

Introduction

Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) are chronic autoimmune conditions that share common pathophysiologic mechanisms. The optimal management of patients with IMIDs remains challenging because the coexistence of different conditions requires the intervention of several specialists. The aim of this study was to develop a series of statements defining overarching principles that guide the implementation of a multidisciplinary approach for the management of spondyloarthritis (SpA)-related IMIDs including SpA, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and uveitis.

Methods

A Delphi consensus-based approach was used to identify a core set of statements. The process included development of initial questions by a steering committee, an exhaustive search of the literature using complementary approaches to identify potential statements and two Delphi voting rounds for finalization of the statements.

Results

Consensus was achieved on the related nature of IMIDs, the existence of a high prevalence of multiple IMIDs in a single patient and the fact that a multidisciplinary approach can result in a more extensive evaluation and comprehensive approach to treatment. The goals of a multidisciplinary team should be to increase diagnosis of concomitant IMIDs, improve the decision-making process, and increase patient satisfaction and adherence. Early referral and diagnosis, early recognition of concomitant IMIDs and optimizing treatment to improve patient quality of life are some of the advantages of using multidisciplinary teams. To be effective, a multidisciplinary team should be equipped with the appropriate tools for diagnosis and follow-up, and at a minimum the multidisciplinary team should include a dermatologist, gastroenterologist and rheumatologist; providing psychologic support via a psychologist and involving an ophthalmologist, general practitioners and nurses in multidisciplinary care is also important.

Conclusion

The present Delphi consensus identified a set of overarching principles that may be useful for implementation of a multidisciplinary approach for the management of SpA-related IMIDs.

Funding

Aristea and Hippocrates.

Safety of treatment options for spondyloarthritis: a narrative review

INTRODUCTION

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) are chronic inflammatory diseases with overlapping pathogenic mechanisms and clinical features. Treatment armamentarium against SpA includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs, including sulfasalazine, methotrexate, leflunomide, cyclosporine), targeted synthetic DMARDs (apremilast) and biological DMARDs (TNF inhibitors, anti-IL 12/23 and anti-IL-17 agents).

AREAS COVERED

A narrative review of published literature on safety profile of available SpA treatment options was performed. Readers will be provided with a comprehensive overview on frequent and rare adverse events associated with each drug listed in current SpA treatment recommendations.

EXPERT OPINION

The overall safety profile of such molecules is good and serious adverse events are rare but need to be promptly recognized and treated. However, the monitoring of adverse events is a major challenge for clinicians because it is not adequately addressed by current treatment recommendations. A tailored treatment is crucial and rheumatologists must accurately select patients in order to identify those more susceptible to develop adverse events.

Successful treatment of SAPHO syndrome with apremilast

SAPHO (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis and osteitis) syndrome is a rare disease with inflammatory osteoarticular and skin involvement. The pathogenesis of SAPHO syndrome remains unclear, but evidence suggests it may be an autoinflammatory disease triggered upon exposure to infectious agents in genetically predisposed individuals. Induction of the interleukin (IL)-23/T helper 17 axis in addition to neutrophil activation seem to play a key role, and therapies targeting these immunological pathways, including tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, ustekinumab, secukinumab and the IL-1 inhibitor anakinra, are potential treatment options that need further investigation. Here we report a case of a 24-year-old woman with SAPHO syndrome who presented at our clinic with palmoplantar pustulosis and sternoclavicular joint involvement. Previous treatments with topical steroids and keratolytics combined with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, intravenous methylprednisolone, methotrexate and sulfasalazine had all failed to improve symptoms. Therapy with etanercept was not tolerated, and because of a previous demyelinating peripheral neuropathy, further treatment with TNF inhibitors was avoided. We initiated ustekinumab 45 mg, which improved skin manifestations but not joint pain. Dose escalation to 90 mg initially improved joint pain, but the dose had to be reduced to 45 mg again because of increased infections. During subsequent 45-mg ustekinumab treatment, joint pain exacerbated so we switched to adalimumab which caused an exacerbation of the disease, so we switched to secukinumab, which improved skin and joint symptoms significantly but was associated with a pustular hypersensitivity reaction. Finally, we began treatment with apremilast, a pan-cytokine approach, resulting in stabilization of the skin and joint symptoms without side-effects. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of apremilast as a treatment for SAPHO syndrome.

Dendritic cells in systemic sclerosis: Advances from human and mice studies

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex heterogeneous fibrotic autoimmune disease with an unknown exact etiology, and characterized by three hallmarks: fibrosis, vasculopathy, and immune dysfunction. Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized cells in pathogen sensing with high potency of antigen presentation and capable of releasing mediators to shape the immune response. Altered DCs distributions and their impaired functions may account for their role in breaking the immune tolerance and driving inflammation in SSc, and the direct contribution of DCs in promoting endothelial dysfunction and fibrotic process has only begun to be understood. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells in particular have been implicated due to their high production of type I interferon as well as other cytokines and chemokines, including the pro-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic CXCL4. Furthermore, a deeper understanding of human and mouse DC biology has clarified their identification and function in different tissues, and novel DC subsets have only recently been discovered. In this review, we highlight key findings and recent advances exploring DC role in the pathogenesis of SSc and other related autoimmune diseases, and consideration of their potential use as targeted therapy in SSc.

Trial Characteristics as Contextual Factors When Evaluating Targeted Therapies in Patients With Psoriatic Disease: A Meta-Epidemiologic Study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the importance of trial characteristics as contextual factors when evaluating the treatment effect of targeted therapies for patients with psoriatic disease.

METHODS

We identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating targeted therapies approved for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and psoriasis (8 biologics and apremilast). The effect of targeted therapies was analyzed in the 2 psoriatic conditions combined by using drug retention as a common outcome, and separately by using the American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement criteria (ACR20) for PsA and the Psoriasis Area Severity Index 75% improvement score (PASI75) for psoriasis. We explored potential effect modification of trial characteristics in stratified and meta-regression analyses. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated and compared among the trial eligibility criteria via the ratio of ORs.

RESULTS

Forty-eight PsA and psoriasis trials (51 comparisons; 17,737 patients) were eligible. Overall retention was OR 2.16 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.70-2.75) with higher odds for PsA trials compared with psoriasis trials (ratio of ORs 2.55 [95% CI 1.64-3.97]). The eligibility criteria "targeted therapy history," "minimum required disease duration," "required negative rheumatoid factor," and "required Classification Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis criteria" were of importance for achieving ACR20 in PsA. The eligibility criterion "minimum required disease duration" was of importance for achieving PASI75 in psoriasis. A total of 7 PsA trials had rescue before time-point-of-retention reporting (adaptive trials).

CONCLUSION

From this exploratory meta-epidemiologic study, we now have evidence from RCTs to support the notion that patients with PsA are more likely to adhere to targeted therapies compared to patients with psoriasis. Furthermore, we identified a few contextual factors of importance in regard to achieving ACR20 in PsA trials and PASI75 in psoriasis trials.

Interleukin-9 Overexpression and Th9 Polarization Characterize the Inflamed Gut, the Synovial Tissue, and the Peripheral Blood of Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression and tissue distribution of Th9-related cytokines in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

METHODS

Quantitative gene expression analysis of Th1, Th17, and Th9 cytokines was performed in intestinal biopsy samples obtained from patients with PsA, HLA-B27-positive patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), patients with Crohn's disease (CD), and healthy controls. Expression and tissue distribution of interleukin-23 (IL-23), IL-17, IL-22, IL-9, and IL-9 receptor (IL-9R) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy. Flow cytometry was used to study the frequency of Th9 cells among peripheral blood, lamina propria, and synovial fluid mononuclear cells. The functional relevance of IL-9R expression on epithelial cells was assessed in functional in vitro studies. Th9 cells in synovial tissue from patients with PsA were also studied.

RESULTS

Subclinical gut inflammation in PsA patients was characterized by a clear Th17 and Th22, but not Th1, polarized immune response. Unlike AS and CD, a strong and significant up-regulation of IL-9 was observed in PsA gut, especially among infiltrating mononuclear cells, high endothelial venules, and Paneth cells. IL-9-positive mononuclear cells were demonstrated to be in large part Th9 cells. IL-9 overexpression was accompanied by significant Paneth cell hyperplasia. Paneth cells strongly overexpressed IL-9R, and stimulation of epithelial cells, isolated from PsA patients, with IL-9 resulted in overexpression of α-defensin 5 and IL-23p19. Peripheral and synovial expansion of α4β7+ Th9 cells was also observed in patients with PsA. Increased expression of IL-9 and IL-9R was also found in synovial tissue.

CONCLUSION

Strong IL-9/Th9 polarization seems to be the predominant immunologic signature in patients in PsA.

Benchmarking Care in Psoriatic Arthritis — The QUANTUM Report: A Report from the GRAPPA 2016 Annual Meeting

Members of the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA), in partnership with KPMG LLP (UK), conducted interviews at selected research centers around the globe to analyze the process of care in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA): pre-diagnosis, referral and diagnosis, treatment, and followup. Ten major challenges emerged, many of which were universally recognized across centers; the top 4 included limited awareness of PsA among non–rheumatologists, a disparate approach to care, late referral and diagnosis, and an inadequate management of comorbidities.

Interleukin-9 and T helper type 9 cells in rheumatic diseases

Interleukin (IL)-9 is a 28-30 kDa monomeric glycosylated polypeptide belonging to the IL-7/IL-9 family of proteins that bind to a composite receptor consisting of the private receptor IL-9R and the IL-2 receptor, gamma (IL-2RG), a common gamma subunit shared by the receptors of many different cytokines. The IL-9R is expressed widely and IL-9 impacts a number of effector cells, such as effector T cells, B cells, innate lymphoid cells, mast cells, polymorphonuclear cells, epithelial cells and smooth muscle cells, playing an important role in regulating inflammatory immunity. The critical role of IL-9 in promoting cellular and humoral immune responses makes it an important focus of potential therapeutic interventions. Recently, a defined subset of T helper type cells, Th9 cells, has been identified by the potent production of IL-9. The involvement of the Th9 cell subset has been described in many types of inflammatory diseases, namely atopic diseases, helminth infections, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and ulcerative colitis. In this review, we summarize the IL-9 biological activities, highlighting roles for IL-9 and Th9 cells in rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, systemic vasculitis, systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis.

Review of the treatment of psoriatic arthritis with biological agents: choice of drug for initial therapy and switch therapy for non-responders

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a heterogeneous chronic inflammatory disease with a broad clinical spectrum and variable course. It can involve musculoskeletal structures as well as skin, nails, eyes, and gut. The management of PsA has changed tremendously in the last decade, thanks to an earlier diagnosis, an advancement in pharmacological therapies, and a wider application of a multidisciplinary approach. The commercialization of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, etanercept, golimumab, and infliximab) as well as interleukin (IL)-12/23 (ustekinumab) and IL-17 (secukinumab) inhibitors is representative of a revolution in the treatment of PsA. No evidence-based strategies are currently available for guiding the rheumatologist to prescribe biological drugs. Several international and national recommendation sets are currently available with the aim to help rheumatologists in everyday clinical practice management of PsA patients treated with biological therapy. Since no specific biological agent has been demonstrated to be more effective than others, the drug choice should be made according to the available safety data, the presence of extra-articular manifestations, the patient’s preferences (e.g., administration route), and the drug price. However, future studies directly comparing different biological drugs and assessing the efficacy of treatment strategies specific for PsA are urgently needed.

Societal costs and patients' experience of health inequities before and after diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis: a Danish cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To comprehensively study the comorbidities, healthcare and public transfer (allowance) costs in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) before and after diagnosis.

METHODS

Nationwide cohort study, using data from Danish registries from January 1998 through December 2014. A total of 10 525 patients with PsA and 20 777 matched general population comparator (GPC) subjects were included. Societal costs, employment status and occurrence of comorbidities in patients with PsA both before and after diagnosis were compared with GPC subjects.

RESULTS

At baseline, patients with PsA had significantly more comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease (OR 1^.70 95% CI 1^.55 to 1^.86), respiratory diseases (OR 1^.73 95% CI 1^.54 to 1^.96) and infectious diseases (OR 2^.03 95% CI 1^.69 to 2^.42) compared with GPC subjects. At all time points, patients with PsA had higher total healthcare and public transfer costs; they also had lower income (p<0.001) and incurred a net average increased societal cost of €10 641 per patient-year compared with GPC subjects following diagnosis. The relative risk (RR) for being on disability pension 5 years prior to PsA diagnosis was 1^.36 (95% CI 1^.24 to 1^.49) compared with GPC subjects. The RR increased to 1^.60 (95% CI 1^.49 to 1^.72) at the time of diagnosis and was 2^.69 (95% CI 2^.40 to 3^.02) 10 years after diagnosis, where 21^.8% of the patients with PsA received disability pension.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings are suggestive of health inequity for patients with PsA and call for individual preventive measures and societal action.

Review article: novel methods for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis - targeting the gut immune system to decrease the systemic inflammatory response without immune suppression

BACKGROUND

The systemic immune system plays a role in inflammation and fibrogenesis associated with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and has become a potential target for drug development. In particular, the gut immune system has been suggested as a means for generating signals that can target the systemic immune system.

AIM

To describe seven novel methods being developed for the treatment of NASH that target the gut immune system for alleviation of the systemic inflammatory response, including oral administration of fatty-liver-derived proteins, anti-CD3 antibodies, tumour necrosis factor fusion protein, anti-lipopolysaccharide antibodies, glucosylceramide, delayed-release mercaptopurine, and soy-derived extracts.

METHODS

A search for these methods for oral immunotherapy for NASH was conducted.

RESULTS

Oral administration of these compounds provides an opportunity for immune modulation without immune suppression, with the advantage of being independent of a single molecular/inflammatory pathway. These modes of oral immune therapy demonstrate superior safety profiles, such that the patient is not exposed to general immune suppression. Moreover, these approaches target the whole spectrum of the disease and may serve as adjuvants to other therapies, such that they provide a platform for treatment of concomitant disorders in patients with NASH, including diabetes and hyperlipidaemia. Most of the compounds reviewed are currently in phase II trials, and it is anticipated that the acquisition of more clinical data in the next few years will enable the use of this new class of drugs for the treatment of NASH.

CONCLUSION

Oral immunotherapy may provide a novel platform for the treatment of NASH.

Recent advances in understanding and managing psoriatic arthritis

This article reviews recent advances in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) over the past several years with emphasis on early diagnosis, better understanding of pathogenesis, and new therapeutic approaches. Early diagnosis is important, since people who present late do not fare as well. There are a number of clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound features that can help identify patients destined to develop PsA, and several screening tools have been developed. It is recognized that genetic and epigenetic factors, as well as T cells and cytokines, play a role in the pathogenesis of PsA, and several targets have been identified for therapeutic interventions. New therapies have been developed and tested in PsA and have been found to be highly effective for both skin and joint manifestations of the disease. The expectation is that, in the future, PsA patients will be treated early and more aggressively and that there will not be significant progression of joint damage. Moreover, with effective treatment of the skin and joint disease and management of risk factors for the comorbidities, we can expect to reduce their occurrence and further reduce the excess mortality and reduced quality of life and function in these patients.

Interactions of the Immune System with Skin and Bone Tissue in Psoriatic Arthritis: A Comprehensive Review

Cutaneous psoriasis (e.g., psoriasis vulgaris (PsV)) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are complex heterogeneous diseases thought to have similar pathophysiology. The soluble and cellular mediators of these closely related diseases are being elucidated through genetic approaches such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS), as well as animal and molecular models. Novel therapeutics targeting these mediators (IL-12, IL-23, IL-17, IL-17 receptor, TNF) are effective in treating both the skin and joint manifestations of psoriasis, reaffirming the shared pathophysiology of PsV and PsA. However, the molecular and cellular interactions between skin and joint disease have not been well characterized. Clearly, PsV and PsA are highly variable in terms of their clinical manifestations, and this heterogeneity can partially be explained by differences in HLA-associations (HLA-Cw*0602 versus HLA-B*27, for example). In addition, there are numerous other genetic susceptibility loci (LCE3, CARD14, NOS2, NFKBIA, PSMA6, ERAP1, TRAF3IP2, IL12RB2, IL23R, IL12B, TNIP1, TNFAIP3, TYK2) and geoepidemiologic factors that contribute to the wide variability seen in psoriasis. Herein, we review the complex interplay between the genetic, cellular, ethnic, and geographic mediators of psoriasis, focusing on the shared mechanisms of PsV and PsA.

Radiographic Progression of Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis Who Achieve Minimal Disease Activity in Response to Golimumab Therapy: Results Through 5 Years of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study

Objective

To evaluate long‐term outcomes in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients who achieved or did not achieve minimal disease activity (MDA) through 5 years of golimumab treatment in the GO‐REVEAL trial.

Methods

The GO‐REVEAL trial was a phase III, randomized, double‐blind trial with placebo‐control through week 24 followed by an open‐label extension of golimumab 50/100 mg treatment up to 5 years. In these post‐hoc analyses, MDA was defined by the presence of ≥5 of 7 PsA outcome measures (≤1 swollen joint, ≤1 tender joint, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index [PASI] ≤1, patient pain score ≤15, patient global disease activity score ≤20 [range 0–100], Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index [HAQ DI] ≤0.5, and ≤1 tender enthesis point).

Results

Treatment with golimumab yielded significantly higher MDA response rates versus patients randomized to placebo at week 14 (23.5% versus 1.0%; P < 0.0001), week 24 (28.1% versus 7.7%; P < 0.0001), and week 52 (42.4% versus 30.2%; P = 0.037). MDA was achieved at least once by ∼50% of golimumab‐treated patients overall. Irrespective of treatment randomization, achievement of MDA at ≥3 and ≥4 consecutive visits was associated with significantly less radiographic progression and more improvement in MDA components allowing specific assessment of physical function (HAQ DI) and overall disease activity (patient global assessment of disease activity) at week 256 versus patients not achieving MDA. Logistic regression analyses indicated that a 1‐unit higher baseline HAQ DI score yielded a significantly lower likelihood of achieving MDA at ≥3 (odds ratio 0.514 [95% confidence interval 0.321–0.824]; P = 0.006) and ≥4 (odds ratio 0.480 [95% confidence interval 0.290–0.795]; P = 0.004) consecutive visits.

Conclusion

Among golimumab‐treated PsA patients, better long‐term functional improvement, patient global assessment, and radiographic outcomes were observed when patients achieved persistent MDA.

Psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis: differential diagnosis

Psoriasis frequency ranges from 1 to 3 % in white population, and arthritis occurs in 10-40 % of psoriasis patients, representing a relevant health issue. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory arthropathy, associated with psoriasis, in which ocular-, intestinal-, metabolic-, and cardiovascular-related manifestations can variably coexist. In order to favor early PsA and psoriasis diagnosis, it is crucial to rule out other conditions that can resemble the disease and delay appropriate therapeutic approach. Therefore, the aim of this review is to focus on PsA and psoriasis differential diagnosis.

Psoriasis mutations disrupt CARD14 autoinhibition promoting BCL10-MALT1-dependent NF-κB activation

Inherited and de novo mutations in the CARD14 gene promote the development of psoriasis, an inflammatory disease of the skin. Caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 14 (CARD14) is a member of the CARMA protein family that includes the structurally related CARD11 adaptor that mediates NF-κB activation by antigen receptors. We investigated the mechanism by which CARD14 mutation in psoriasis activates NF-κB. In contrast with wild-type CARD14, CARD14(E138A) and CARD14(G117S) psoriasis mutants interacted constitutively with BCL10 and MALT1, and triggered BCL10- and MALT1-dependent activation of NF-κB in keratinocytes. These alterations disrupted the inhibitory effect of the CARD14 linker region (LR) on NF-κB activation by facilitating BCL10 binding. Therefore, psoriasis mutations activated CARD14 by a mechanism analogous to oncogenic CARD11 mutations in non-Hodgkin B cell lymphomas. CARD14(E138A) also stimulated MALT1 paracaspase activity and activated both ERK1/2 and p38α MAP kinases. Inhibition of MALT1 with mepazine reduced CARD14(E138A)-induced expression of specific psoriasis-associated transcripts in keratinocytes. Our results establish the mechanism whereby gain-of-function CARD14 variants, which induce psoriatic disease in affected individuals, activate pro-inflammatory signalling.

Oral immune therapy: targeting the systemic immune system via the gut immune system for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are associated with an altered systemic immune response leading to inflammation-mediated damage to the gut and other organs. Oral immune therapy is a method of systemic immune modulation via alteration of the gut immune system. It uses the inherit ability of the innate system of the gut to redirect the systemic innate and adaptive immune responses. Oral immune therapy is an attractive clinical approach to treat autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. It can induce immune modulation without immune suppression, has minimal toxicity and is easily administered. Targeting the systemic immune system via the gut immune system can serve as an attractive novel therapeutic method for IBD. This review summarizes the current data and discusses several examples of oral immune therapeutic methods for using the gut immune system to generate signals to reset systemic immunity as a treatment for IBD.

Macrophages derived from THP-1 promote the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells through the IL-23/IL-23R/β-catenin pathway

Abnormal bone formation is a clinically significant dilemma for many conditions in response to injury, inflammation or genetic disease. However, the effects of inflammation on the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) remain unclear. IL-23 secretion from macrophages might contribute to the development of bone formation. Here, we investigated the stimulatory effects of THP-1 macrophage conditioned medium (MΦ CM) on the osteogenic differentiation of human MSCs and the associated signaling pathways. The osteogenic differentiation of MSCs was induced after exposure to osteogenic differentiation medium (OM). MΦ CM significantly increased alkaline phosphate (ALP) activity and calcium mineralization in MSCs. Osteogenic marker genes, including RUNX2, ALP and osteocalcin (OCN), were also up-regulated in MSCs after exposure to MΦ CM. Moreover, western blotting revealed that MΦ CM treatment induced STAT3 and β-catenin activation in MSCs. Furthermore, blockade of IL-23 in MΦ CM not only impaired the osteogenic-promotion effects of macrophage but also decreased the expression of osteogenic maker genes. However, IL-23R silencing suppressed MΦ CM-induced calcium mineralization and osteogenic maker gene expression in MSCs. These data suggest that macrophages derived from THP-1 promote the osteoblastic differentiation of MSCs through the IL-23/IL-23R/β-catenin pathway and macrophages might contribute to the development of bone formation in inflammation.

Indirect comparisons of the efficacy of biological agents in patients with psoriatic arthritis with an inadequate response to traditional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

While the efficacy of biologic agents for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has been well demonstrated in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the data on their relative efficacy is limited. This meta-analysis is aimed at assessing the comparative efficacy of these agents in patients who had persistently active disease despite traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)/disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), or who could not tolerate NSAIDs/DMARDs.

METHODS

RCTs examining the efficacy of biologic agents in patients with PsA who experienced inadequate response or intolerance of traditional DMARDs or NSAIDs were identified. If more than one RCT were available for a given biologic agent, the pooled risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of attaining a 20% improvement according to American College of Rheumatology criteria (ACR20) response across trials were calculated. The pooled risk ratios for each biologic agent were then compared using the indirect comparison technique.

RESULTS

A total of 12 RCTs were identified and included in the data analyses. We found that patients who received older TNF inhibitors (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab, and golimumab) had a statistically significantly higher chance of achieving ACR20 response compared with apremilast, ustekinumab, and certolizumab. The likelihood of achieving ACR20 response among secukinumab users (at the dose of 150 mg and 300 mg weekly) was also higher compared with apremilast, ustekinumab, and certolizumab, though the relative risk did not always reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates that patients with PsA who experience inadequate response or intolerance of traditional DMARDs or NSAIDs have a higher probability of achieving the ACR20 response with older TNF inhibitors and secukinumab.